A new "top-class turf wicket" with a "lush green outfield" has been built in Dubai, according to K.R. Nayar of the GULF NEWS. The cricket ground is located at the Higher College of Technology Dubai Men's College Campus from an initiative by former cricketer Roop K Razdan. The FairGrounds Oval, as it will be known, was inaugurated by Int'l Cricket Council CEO David Richardson on Thursday. Razdan said that he created the ground "for the common man." Razdan: "We have kept the price for using this facility very low, so that everyone can afford to come and play." The ground will also have two turf and three cement practice pitches (GULF NEWS, 9/7). Meanwhile, 25,000 filled the Dubai Int'l Cricket Stadium to watch the second Twenty20 match of the Cool & Cool Cup series between Pakistan and Australia. The match marks the first time all of the seats have been sold out (GULF NEWS, 9/8).

Australian firm Pacific Coast Design is "underway with the construction of the first new golf course in Iran for 33 years," according to GOLF COURSE ARCHITECTURE. Developer TSI (Iranian Land) chose PCD to design the project, an int'l standard 18 hole course, plus a nine hole academy, near the town of Panand, about 15 minutes from the main Tehran airport. Construction of the golf course began in the spring and is expected to be finished by early '14. While the entire site is 1,400 hectares, the golf zone, which has been planned by PCD and comprises the course, academy and clubhouse, plus residential and commercial property, a hotel and a school, forms a parcel of 340 hectares (GOLF COURSE ARCHITECTURE, 9/10). Meanwhile, Swan Golf Designs has been selected to design the new golf course at Channels Golf Club in Chelmsford, England. Clifford Leisure has appointed SGD to design the new course to be located on land immediately north of the original 18 holes. SGD will be working alongside land promotion specialists Ptarmigan Land and London-based architects John Thompson & Partners to ensure that the project sets a new benchmark for golf and residential developments in the U.K. (Swan Golf Designs).

The German Automobile Association (ADAC) "signed an agreement with the operators of the Nurburgring racetrack that secures several races at the historic circuit in '13," according to Markus Lüttgens of MOTORSPORT-TOTAL.com. After a number of negative headlines in previous months, the Nurburgring "has some exciting news." The 24h race, the Truck Grand Prix and the GT-Masters will all take place at the racetrack in '13. A corresponding agreement "has been signed between race operator ADAC and racetrack operator Nurburgring Automotive GmbH." The ongoing insolvency proceedings of the state-owned Nurburgring GmbH "have no influence on the contracts' fulfillment." NAG CEO Karl-Josef Schmidt said, "The Nurburgring GmbH accepted the agreement. Therefore the contracts are valid even in the case of an operator change" (MOTORSPORT-TOTAL.com, 9/11).

As a decision nears on one of the capital’s key legacy issues, leading business organizations from east London "have thrown their weight" behind EPL West Ham United's bid for the Olympic Stadium, according to Frank Dalleres of CITYAM.com. The ExCeL Centre and the East London Business Alliance "have voiced their support" for West Ham to be the main users of the arena when it reopens in '14. ExCeL Centre CEO Kevin Murphy said, "West Ham United have played a pivotal role in the local community for a great many years, making a major contribution to the social regeneration of east London. No one is better placed to take hold of the legacy baton after the Games and be at the heart of a lively and busy Olympic Stadium" (CITYAM.com, 9/11).

Yachting New Zealand officials are "quietly confident" plans for a National Ocean Water Sports Centre on the Takapuna Beach camp ground will get the green light next year, according to David Leggat of the NEW ZEALAND HERALD. Submissions on the Auckland Council's draft reserve management plan, including the yachting component, closed Tuesday afternoon. Although the decision is not due until February, Yachting New Zealand CEO David Abercrombie believes the A$8M ($8.3M) development has "significant benefits not just for the sailing fraternity, but other sports and the community as a whole." Architects Warren & Mahoney have drawn up the plans, covering 40% of the future public reserve. They include "250-square-meter for high-performance activities and housing the NOWSC; 500sq m of hard stand for boat rigging and derigging; and 1,500sq m of underground storage" (NEW ZEALAND HERALD, 9/11).